Container or package for eggs, etc



Oct. 2, 1934. F. H. SHERMAN CONTAINER 0R PACKAGE FOR EGGS,

ETC

Filed Oct. 16,, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1934- F. H. SHERMAN CONTAINER ORPACKAGE FDR EGGS ETC.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1931 as as 69 as 69 a8 herznan E'anc isI16 q 723; M

Oct. 2, 1934. F. H. SHERMAN 1,975,128

CONTAINER 0R PACKAGE FOR EGGS, ETC

Filed Oct. 16, 1 31 s Sheets-Sheet s Invewior: Irancis H SizerznamPatented Oct. 2, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My present invention relates to packages or .containers for fragilearticles, especially eggs, and aims to provide a strong, inexpensivefibrous device of the class described, particularly adapted for theretail distribution of the articles in small lots. As to all commonsubject matter this application is a continuation in part of mycopending application Serial No. 403,770.

In the drawings illustrating by-way of example certain embodiments ofthe invention,-

Figure 1 is a perspective of the exterior of a closed container, cartonor box embodying one form of the invention; M

Fig. 2 is a plan of the container of Fig. 1, open, with a portion of onehalf-section broken away and with the cellular partitioning meansomitted;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section through a closed container as in Fig. 1, on aline corresponding to the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section, on a smaller scale, through a closed cartonin accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the partly openposition of the upper section being indicated in dotted lines;

Fig. 5 is a plan of a container having a bottom section as in Fig. 4,shown in full. open position, the top section being without cellpartitions;

Fig. 6 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4 showing a further modified formembodying the invention;

Fig. 7 is an inside plan view on a larger'scale, of a further embodimentof the invention, the major portion of the upper half-section beingbroken away;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section on a line corresponding to the line 8-8 inFig. 7, the carton being closed;

Fig. 9 is a partial cross-section on the line 9+9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to a portion of Fig. "7, illustrating astill further modification; and

Figs. 11 and 12 are partial cross-sections on the lines 11-11 and 1212of Fig. 10.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3, the container as there illustratedcomprises two main sections 1 and 2, which may be substantial duplicatesbut are here shown as differing in the structure of their horizontalwalls, the main .wall or top 2a of the upper section 2 being'flat orsubstantially so, adapting it for printing and advertising matter.

While the container sections may be otherwise formed, they arepreferably made by a pulp-sucking or fibre felting process, as in mysaid copending application, whereby they are fashioned directly and infinal form from fibrous or cellulosic material such as wood pulp and thelike suspended in solution, the fibres being deposited on molds or formsof the appropriate shape. The container sections may be thus formedindividually,

but preferably they are produced as a continuous web, from which pairsof the sections are cut, the two sections of each pair being leftconnected by a hinge formation as at 3 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. As stated,however, the sections need not be integrally connected, and in thecomplete package may even be merely superposed separate members, tied,clipped or otherwise held in place during use. By reason of theirformation direct from pulp material, the container walls are of adistinctly resilient, elastic nature, as contrasted with ordinarycardboard, for example, but are sufiiciently rigid to be self-supportingand of adequate strength.

The lower section 1 has a bottom indicated as a whole by the numeral 4and its side walls 5 are outwardly inclined, the side walls 6 of theupper section 2 being similarly sloped. On both sections the side wallsor one or'more of them are set-over or flared at their edges to form thelower and upper flanges 7 and 8 respectively, providing a firm seat forthe two container sections, one upon the other. This provision of a rimor flange, either continuously or at suitable spaced intervals, upon oneor both of the container sections serves also to increase the rigidityof the latter and generally strengthen them, as well as affording aprotective rib or lateral cushioning means for the container as a whole.By reason of the inclined side walls a number of the containers mayreadily be nested for packing, shipment or storage. In the case ofhingedly connected upper and lower parts, as illustrated in the figures,these parts are stacked in pairs in their open position, or where thesections are formed separately they may be piled individually in nestedrelation.

The container as shown by way of example is designed for the receptionof one dozen articles,

such as eggs, arranged 3 x 4, although various other sizes andarrangements may be employed,

and in accordance with the invention individual cells or pockets areprovided by separating ,walls or partitions of various constructions,each cell having an elevated cushioning formation at its bottom wherebythe received article is held above the surface on which the containerrests. The cell-partitioning walls may in some instances be integralwith the container and solid or substantially so, as in Figs. 4 and 5,or integral and hollow or partly so, as in Fig. 6, or of the broaderhollow rectangular or pyramidal form as in Figs. 7 to 12. or they may beas in Figs. 1 to 3, wherein the cell partitions are provided by crossedinterlocking strips 9 and 10, Fig. 3, of the general type heretoforeemployed in egg cartons, sometimes referred to as a honeycomb filler.Such filler as herein utilized in the embodiment of the invention as inFigs. 1 to 3 is specially shaped and proportioned to position it firmlywithin the container and to enable it to afford maximum reinforcement toall the surrounding outer walls. Accordingly the ends of one or bothsets of strips 9 and 10 are projected or shaped to conform with theinner faces of the container walls, being oppositely and inwardlyinclined from approximately the longitudinal median lines of the strips,substantially in the manner indicated at 11, 12. Thus the strips 9 and10 of Figs. 1 to 3 have a maximum width at midheight, in the closingplane of the two main sections 1 and 2 of the container. dimensions ofthe container, so that the interengaged strips or filler may readily bedropped into the open tray portion of the latter, but by reason of theirdescribed construction they are adapted to act as a'butments or bracesresisting external end or side pressures as well as vertical pressuresupon the container.

I Referring now particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the bottom wall 4 of thelower section 1 is so constructed as to afford novel cushioning andreinforcing means at the base of each cell, individually. One form ofsuch means, as there illustrated, comprises the elevated or raised baseareas or platforms 13, positioned and spaced to underlie each cell. Saidarticle-supporting cushions may be single substantially fiat-surfacedelevations as shown, or otherwise formed, to receive and cushion theindividuai eggs or other articles. They may be approximately coextensivein area with the lower portions of the cells, as illustrated, or of lessarea, it being noted that in the central cells which have no slopedwalls the bottom cushions are substantially square while in the lateralcells the cushioning elevations are of a decreased area proportionate tothe inclination of the container walls.

Between the several bottom cushions or/supports 13 the container bottomis formed with a series of crossing channels or downwardly extendingribs 14 and 15, at right angles to each other. The outer bottom surfacesof these ribs are in a plane with the lower edges of the containersides, and constitute the supporting surfaces, feet or grid on which thecontainer sets. A similar peripheral channel or rib 16 extendspreferably completely around the container bottom immediately adjacentthe bases of its sides, which surrounding channel also constitutes apart of\the base surface and further serves to strengthen and reinforcethe whole lower section of the container 1 as do also the intermediatecrossing channels or ribs 14 and 15. Said latter Said strips areproportioned to the intermediate channels 14 and 15 are adapted toreceive, position and laterally support the lower portions of the fillerstrips or cell partitions 9 and 10, and thus have this additionalimportant function and special cooperation with the cell-formingelements, thereby further contributing to the general strength, firmnessand stability of the package as a whole.

It will be noted that each of the two main sections 1 and 2 of thecontainer is of less height than the cell-forming means or filler, beingbut one-half that height in the illustrative embodiment in Figs. 1 to 3.Thus when the container is open the upper portions of the containedarticles, such as eggs, are largely exposed, affording an adequate andattractive display thereof and facilitating inspection. The two sectionsof the container need not be of the same height, however, but one ofthem may be deeper than the other, the cell-partition ends 11, 12 beingcorrespondingly varied to fit. The side walls also are not necessarilyinclined but such construction is preferred both because of the greaterease with which the parts may be nested, and for other reasons,particularly in connection with their manufacture, said constructionfacilitating the removal of the container parts from the mold forms andalso making it more readily possible to give said parts the desireddepth.

The container sections may be held in closed relation in any suitablemanner, as by adhesive stickers or strips, or by one or more securingclips 1 such asillustrated at 17 in Fig. 1. If the upper and lower partsare not hinged together, similar securing means may also be applied tothe superposed rims at the opposite side or elsewhere about thecontainer. In some instances the two sections may be hinged together bymeans of a strip of adhesive tape or the like, but preferably the twoparts are formed integrally in the manufacturing process, whether bypulp-sucking or otherwise, and are scored or similarly arranged forready folding one onto the other.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the generalexternal wall structure of the container may be similar to that of Figs.1 to 3. In said Figs. 4 and 5, however, as well as in the forms of theinvention in the succeeding figures, the cell partitions are constitutedintegrally with the container walls and are preferably molded or formedtherewith in the process of manufacture.

Referring to Fig. 4, the upper section 20 may be identical with thelower section 21, but as shown the top wall 22 of the upper section hasa substantially fiat outer surface, though preferably slightly set in ordished as at 23, below the peripheral portion at the upper edges of thesloped side walls 24, affording reinforcing adjacent the meeting line ofthe top and side walls. The lower section 21 has similarly inclined sidewalls 25. and each section has a peripheral flange 26 and 27respectively as in the preceding figures. They are adapted to be held inclosed position as by the clip 28, from which position the top sectionmay be opened back along the hinge connection 29, as to the dotted lineportion indicated.

Instead of the separate crossed strip partitions of Figs. 1 and 3 thecontainer is fashioned, in its formation from the pulp material, withintegral cell-partitioning or separating walls 30 and 31 respectively atapproximately right angles to each other, dividing the interior of oneor both container sections into the desired number and arrangement ofcells, for example, twelve cells disposed 3 x 4 as in the drawings.These cell walls are preferably of somewhat greater thickness than thatof the external walls of the container, providing substantial cushioningbetween contained articles and cross bracing and strengthening thecontainer as a whole.

The bottom portion 32 of each cell is elevated above the bases of theside walls 25 of the lower section, as in the preceding figures, and inthe vertical planes of the cell partitions the bottom of the lowersection is formed with ribs or prujections 33, substantially as externalprolongations of the cell walls, and constituting, together with theperipheral channels or hollow rib 34 extending around the base of theside walls, a gridlike support on which the container may rest.Thus'each cell is afforded a bottom cushioning formation functionallysimilar to that of Figs. 1 to 3.

In Fig. 5 the cell partitions are shown as provided only on the lowersection 21, as is adequate in most instances, the top section 20a beingsimilar as in Fig. 4 except for the omission of the partitioning walls.In both Figs. 4 and 5 the cell partitions are illustrated as the same inheight as the external walls of the container sections, so that in Fig.4 the partitions of each section are adapted to meet and seat on thecorresponding partitions of the opposite section, when the container isclosed. They may be otherwise proportioned, however, those of onesection being higher than the outer walls of that section, and beingcorrespondingly shorter in the other section, if provided thereon, orthey may both be lower, without meeting, or may be omitted in the uppersection, as in Fig. 5, in which case the partitions of the lower sectionmay be as shown in said figure, that approximately one-half the heightof the container, or less, or greater, or may even extend up intocontact or substantially into contact with the closed top section of thecontainer.

In Fig. 6, for example, the cell partitions 36 and 37 of the lower andupper sections are less than half the container height. The containerconstruction of said Fig. 6 may be in all respects not otherwisementioned, the same as in Figs. 4 and 5. In this case the separatingpartitions are hollow or double-walled, substantially V-shaped members,also formed integrally with the container as it is fashioned from thepulp material. The individual cell bottoms 38 are raised as in theprevious forms of the invention, to support the articles out of contactwith the surface on which the container rests. The bases of the cellwalls are carried down to afiord supporting ribs or feet, as at 39,which ribs may be thickened or solid as in Fig. 4, or may be channeled,as illustrated in Fig. 6, providing an internal peripheral channel 39aabout the bottom of each cell, and also at the base of the containersides, with strengthening and reinforcing effect. As in the previousfigures the relative heights of the cell partitions may be widelyvaried.

Turning now to Figs. '7 to 12, I have there shown other embodiments ofthe invention, claims for which are contained in my divisionalapplication S. N. 664,916. Here again the container comprises lower andupper tray-like sections 40 and 41 respectively, desirably integrallyhingedly connected as at 42. In any respects not otherwise mentioned theconstruction may be as in the preceding figures, and, as there, thecellular formations may be provided for or lie within each of thetray-like sections, but in the examples illustrated in said Figs. '7 to12 the main wall or top of the upper section or tray, similarly as inFigs. 1 to 5, is shown as externally fiat or substantially so, adaptingit for the reception of printed or stamped legends, lettering,advertising matter, designs or the like which are not readily applicableto the uneven surface such as that at the outside of the lower tray-likesection. The cells are here of general rectangular shape as in the otherforms, but with the corners filled in or carried across as a result ofawidening of the cell partitions, which are expanded laterally, ineffect drawing the straight line double-wall partition of each cell ofFig. 6 out into a roughly rectangular or diamond-shaped hollow member,in the nature of a truncated four-sided pyramid, the four main edges orcorners of which are respectively directed toward the four side walls ofthe container, each such full separator or pyramid including a top 43from which the four main sides 44 slope downwardly and outwardly.

By reason of this laterally expanded and approximately pyramidal form ofthe partitioning walls the resulting cells are in effect rotated ontheir vertical axes through 45 from their position as in the previousfigures. While the cell bottoms 45 remain approximately rectangular orsquare, at least in the interior cells, their edges extend obliquely ofthe container as a whole, along lines at angles of approximately 45inclination with respect to the top edges of the container side walls.

As the container as shown is designed for holding one dozen articlesarranged 3 x 4, there are six full or interior partitioning pyramids43--44, two rows of three each lengthwise of the container. These sixpyramids provide between them the two full-sided or substantiallycompletely rectangular interior or central cells through which thesection line 88 passes in Fig. 7. The ten side or peripheral cells,while of substantially or nearly the same volume content, and adequatefor receiving and cushioning an egg or other article, are in effectflattened or sloped off, upon one corner in the case of the six sidecells which are not at the container corners, and upon two corners inthe remaining four side cells, in the container corners. Between andcompleting these ten side or peripheral cells are the ten halfpyramidsor approximately triangular pyramid portions 43a, each corresponding inshape to a one-half portion of one of the six full rectangular internalor central pyramids 4344, and each having two similarly sloped sides 44,44 whose meeting edges are in the vertical plane diagonally through theadjacent interior or full pyramids, perpendicular to the top edges ofthe container side walls.

The two outer sides of the four corner cells, and the single outer sidesof the six intermediate side or peripheral cells are completed by theinwardly sloped side walls 46 of the container section, corresponding toportions of the outer side walls of the containers of the previousfigures.

Thus, lengthwise of the container there are two rows of partitioningformations, each row including three full or rectangular pyramids andtwo half or triangular pyramids, one at each end of the row, whiletransversely of the container, in the direction of its least dimension,there are three rows of partitioning formations, each includingtwo ofthe just-mentioned full or rectangular pyramids and two other half ortriangular pyramids, one at each end, completing the provision of twelvearticle cells disposed 3 x 4.

As in the previous forms the cell bottoms 45 are constituted ascushioning formations, being elevated in whole or part above the levelon which the container rests. Surrounding the elevated cushioningplatforms -45 of the cell bottoms are the channels or depressed hollowribs 47, the lower faces of which provide the actual supporting base orgrid-like bottom of the container, similarly as in Figs. 1 to 6.

The construction as above described will be readily apparent in tIiesectional view of Fig. 8, taken along the longitudinal center line inFig. 7 and hence passing diagonally through the bases of the twofull-rectangular or central cells, and

between the two rows of full pyramidal partitions.

As indicated by the cross-hatched material, following it lengthwiseacross said figure, this view cuts through an outer side wall 46 of oneof the intermediate side cells, the adjacent channel or foot-rib 47, thecell bottom cushion 45, the said channel 47 again. then the base of oneinclined wall 44 of one of the full or interior pyramidal partitions,and thence through the base of the adjoining inclined wall 44 of saidpyramidal partition, into the next adjoining cell, etc. It will beunderstood in Fig. 8 that the surfaces 44 appearing there incline awayfrom the reader and alternately in opposite directions. The planesurfaces 46 seen through between the pyramids 4443-44 are the outersides of the longitudinal side cells, in the next row beyond thatthrough which the section is taken.

It will be noted that the pyramid sides 44, where they meet those ofadjoining pyramidal partitions, do not extend entirely down to thelowest level of the container, but form small hollow four-sidedpyramidal parts, indicated at 48 in Fig. 8 and also in Fig. 7. Thesectional view of Fig. 9, as contrasted with Fig-8, cuts diagonallythrough the pyramidal partitions rather than through the cells. In someor all instances the cell bottom cushioning formations may be dished orcentrally or otherwise depressed or further elevated, or variouslymodified, for example as at 45a, 45a in the central cells of Figs. 7 and8.

In Fig. '7 I have shown a novel form of securing means for the containersections, comprising a metal clip 49 having a body portion secured as bytongues 50 in the top surface 43a. of one of the partial pyramidalpartitions, or in the adjoining area of the peripheral flange 40a. Thelatter is recessed as at 51, and the flange 41a. of the other section iscorrespondingly recessed, whereby the clip is wholly contained withinthe contour of the container but is adapted to be folded over onto theinner part of the upper flange to secure the two sections in closedposition.

In Figs. 10, 11 and 12 is shown a modification of the form of Figs. 7 to9, similar reference numerals being used for corresponding parts, withthe addition of prime marks. In Figs. 10 to 12 the flange of the lowersection 40 is indicated by the numeral 40b, and that of the uppersection 41 by the numeral 41b, while the peripheral triangular flatareas between cells, corresponding to the parts 431]. of Figs. '7 and 8,are indicated as 43b. Iii this instance the channels 47 bounding theraised floors 45' of the cells are in alignment in successive cells, andmeet or cross at the corners of adjoining cells. Thus these channels,ribs or feet form a continuous grid-like structure over the entirebottom of the lower section, constituting a base for the latter. Theserib or chan nel elements 47', extending at angles of approximately 45with respect to the container outer edges, afiord a continuous crossbracing of the bottom, from side to side, immediately adjacent the cellfloors, whereas in Figs. 7 and 8 the corresponding reinforcing orbracing is provided by the merging base portions of the pyramidal cellseparators. In Figs. 10 to 12 it will be noted that the cell floors 45'are of a somewhat larger area, while the pyramidal separators 44'43--44are individually bounded by the grid channels 47' and are ofproportionately less area, with slightly steeper side walls. It will beunderstood that the sizes and shapes of the-cells and partitioning meansin any of the illustrated forms may be widely varied within the scope ofthe invention.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided anintegrally or otherwise partitioned cellular container for eggs or otherfragile globular articles, which may be inexpensively manufactured, offibrous material, chiefly or wholly by a moulding or pulp-handlingprocess as a result of which the material is inherently resilient or ofa cushioning nature but nevertheless self-supporting. The resultingcontainer is of marked strength and shock-resisting character, affordinga firm, fully cushioned cellular package admirably adapted for thepurposes intended.

My invention is not limited to the particular embodiment shown anddescribed herein by way of example, its scope being pointed out in thefollowing claims.

I claim: 105

l. A 3 x 4 cellular container for fragile articles. such as eggs,comprising tray-like sections adapted for mated positioning one on theother in opposition, each section including a main planular horizontaltop or bottom wall and enclosing 110 seamless side walls divergingoutwardly from the periphery of the horizontal wall at substantiallysimilar angles, said sections being composed of "cellulosic material, atleast the lower one of 'said sections having formed therein a pluralityof rows of raised formations providing article-cushioning bottoms for alike number of individual article cells, the peripheral under surface ofthe bottom of said lower section and its portions intermediate said cellbottoms constituting a grid-like and cell-defining supporting base forsaid section, and integral upstanding cell-partitioning wall meanscooperating with said gridlike base to reinforce the container as awhole, the total cellular area not substantially exceeding that of astandard honeycomb filler of an equal number of cells. Y

2. A package for eggs or like fragile globular articles, comprising, acontainer of cellulosic material including oppositely mating top and 130bottom trays, each tray comprising a planular horizontal top or bottomwall and integral seamless and continuous side walls about the'periphcryof and outwardly inclined with respect to said horizontal wall, andcooperating, integral, 1 upright cell-partitioning means for at leastthe bottom tray, said bottom tray having a grid-like supporting baseformation composed of downwardly protuberant ribs at longitudinal andtransverse peripheral portions of the cell bottoms, extending directlybelow lower portions of the cell-partitioning means and defining theindividual cell areas, the total cellular area not substantiallyexceeding that of a standard honeycomb filler of an equal number ofcells.

3. A cellular container for fragile articles such as eggs, comprisingtray-like sections adapted for mated positioning one on the other inopposition, each section including a main planular horizontal top orbottom wall and enclosing seamless ing supporting base for said section,integral upstanding cell-partitioning wall means cooperating with saidgrid-like base to reinforce the container as a whole, the total cellulararea not substantially exceeding that of a standard honeycomb filler ofan equal number of cells, an external surface of the upper section beingflat or substantially so, thereby adapting it for the imprinting thereonof lettering, designs and the like.

FRANCIS H. SHERMAN.

